News

Read about practice related news, or news relating to Upper Gastrointestinal (GI), Hepato, Pancreatic, Biliary (HPB) surgery.

Global pancreatic cancer trial

The NeoFOL-R study investigates whether administering chemotherapy before surgery can shrink tumours to make them easier to remove and eliminate any cancer cells that may have spread.

NanoCube Health

NanoCube Health has secured a $3 million grant from the Australian Government to accelerate our nanorobotics technology as a part of a $7.3 million project.

Liver cancer rates being underreported

A recent edition of the Health Report on ABC Radio with Dr Norman Swan highlighted the conclusion of a recent study conducted in Melbourne.

There is a hope for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Recent advances in treatment of pancreatic cancer promises to provide improved survival outcomes, particularly for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). This is defined as a pancreatic tumour, causing invasion into blood vessels such as the superior mesenteric vein, portal vein and hepatic artery. A LAPC has very poor survival rate, because curative pancreatic resection is often not feasible.

Do I need surgery for my gallbladder polyp (GBP)?

Most patients with an incidentally found gallbladder polyp do not require cholecystectomy (removal of gallbladder surgery). However, it is important to see your doctor for further assessment. A recent systematic review of the topic is discussed here. This study (Elmasry M et. al, Int J Surg 2016) involved a review of 5482 patients with a gallbladder polyp, with an incidence of malignant gallbladder polyp of 0.57%. Risk factors for increased risk of malignancy were gallbladder polyp > 6mm, single GBP, symptomatic GBP, age > 60 years, Indian ethnicity, gallstones and cholecystitis.